What is I-O?

Industrial-organizational (I-O) psychology is the scientific study of working and the application of that science to workplace issues facing individuals, teams, and organizations.
The scientific method is applied to investigate issues of critical relevance to individuals, businesses, and society.

National Institute of Justice Releases Initial FY 2018 Funding Opportunities for Policing Research

The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) within the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Office of Justice Programs (OJP) serves as DOJ’s primary external research program. Each year, NIJ releases approximately 40-45 solicitations for numerous awards between January and May covering a wide range of topics with the overall goal of strengthening science and enhancing justice.

One key focus area for the first full round of NIJ solicitations under the Trump Administration has been policing. This reflects a strategic plan released last fall by the Institute that maps research investments in policing over the next five years. Although the report began under the Obama Administration, the language and priorities have been tweaked by Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ office to emphasize the priorities of the current DOJ, including a stronger focus on strategies to fight crime and ensure officer wellness. The report also included several I-O oriented research goals, which are reflected in many of the initial policing solicitations outlined below.

Research and Evaluation on Decision-Making

Due Date: May 7, 2018

Total Funding and Award Size: DOJ anticipates setting aside $2 million for one or more awards under the program, each with a performance period of no more than three years.

NIJ is interested in supporting research projects that provide useful information that can be applied to enhance officer decision-making in low-frequency and high-frequency encounters (e.g. responding to an active shooter or making arrests). Through this solicitation, the agency recognizes that officers’ decisions can be informed by a number of intrinsic traits and “state factors” such as workforce conditions. Research and evaluation through this solicitation should identify combinations of intrinsic traits and state factors that lead to successful outcomes and unsuccessful outcomes (such as eroding of police-community trust). NIJ is also interested in “understanding how combinations of trait and state factors may lead to different outcomes based on the frequency, risk, and reason for an encounter; as well as understanding how the importance of specific trait and state factors may vary based on the type of encounter.”

Additional Information:

Complete information on the award can be found in the full solicitation here.

Understanding the Impacts of Policing Strategies and Practices

Due Date: May 14, 2018

Total Funding and Award Size: DOJ anticipates setting aside $3 million for one or more awards under the program, each with a performance period of no more than three years.

NIJ has a multifaceted interest in research on policing practices that are effective at reducing violent crime and victimization; protecting police officers and other public safety personnel; and enhancing investigations and prosecution. Unlike previous iterations of this solicitation under the Obama Administration, there is an enhanced focus on the development of new policing strategies and less emphasis on evaluating the broader impacts of existing strategies. NIJ expects the outcomes of the projects to be scholarly products that can be referenced by practitioners and policymakers when considering the adoption of certain policing strategies.

Additional Information:

Complete information on the award can be found in the full solicitation here.

Research and Evaluation in Safety, Health, and Wellness in the Criminal Justice System

Due Date: May 14, 2018

Total Funding and Award Size: DOJ anticipates making multiple awards of up to $3 million under this program, each with a performance period of no more than three years.

This solicitation is in support of a strategic plan released by NIJ in 2016 that outlined future investments in multidisciplinary research to promote safety, health, and wellness across the criminal justice community. This solicitation supports research projects addressing four topics: “the impact of fatigue and stress on officer performance; the impact of occupational prestige and job satisfaction on officer stress resilience; enhancing strategies for officer interaction with mentally ill individuals; and reducing traffic-related officer fatalities and injuries through technology enhancement and policy.” Additional context and priorities for each thrust are provided in the solicitation.

Additional information:

Complete information on the award can be found in the full solicitation here.

This is not an exhaustive list of funding opportunities from NIJ for fiscal year (FY) 2018. The agency has several open solicitations and will continue to release funding opportunities in areas such as forensics, school violence, corrections, firearm safety, and several pressing criminal justice topics. A complete set of current funding opportunities can be found on the NIJ website, linked below.